Anne Hartline is the recipient of an amazing autograph quilt created by her mother, Thelma Gray. Anne brought the quilt to our offices for photography. As she carefully unfolded the quilt, everyone present was so intrigued. The names on the blocks included celebrities, government officials, and leaders from around the world.

Mrs. Gray mailed a square piece of fine cotton fabric with a letter explaining that she wanted to make a quilt with signatures. Each recipient would sign the block in pencil and then return it to her in an envelope she included. When she received the blocks, she embroidered over their signature exactly as they wrote it and stored them in a sturdy protective box. Sixty-six entertainers, politicians, and dignitaries from all over the world returned their signed squares. Many included a personal note, which was stored with the blocks. Notes sent and received were written on fine stationery and are just as valuable as the quilt blocks.

It’s a quilt that is frozen in time. Autographs from George Bernard Shaw, Bing Crosby (complete with an autographed photo), Mary Pickford, child star Shirley Temple, Nelson Eddy, and Jeanette McDonald adorn the quilt. World War II generals Marshall, Wainwright, Arnold, and MacArthur found time to respond. The soon-to-be President Dwight Eisenhower returned his as well.

Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last British viceroy of India, sent his from England. The Queen of England sent her reply stating that “owing to the large number of applications for Her Majesty’s autograph, the Queen has been compelled to make her rule that she is unable to send her signature to those with whom she is not personally acquainted.”

American presidents or their wives sent their blocks along. Mrs. Truman sent hers, as her husband wouldn’t. Herbert Hoover complied, as did first ladies Eleanor Roosevelt, Grace Coolidge, and Edith Wilson.

Mrs. Gray also kept scrapbooks of all correspondence, envelopes, and newspaper clippings for each person. She meticulously dated every page or notation. Her daughter Anne has the collection of all documents relating to this quilt. Her son will be the next lucky recipient to inherit these treasures.

There are many autograph quilts that have been made through the years commemorating important events, people, families, and moments in time. Many will be highlighted in upcoming Quilt Street features, which we hope will inspire you to create your own.